Photo Courtesy: nenews
Guwahati: Senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia has formally requested that Prime Minister Narendra Modi establish a Regional Recruitment Centre in Guwahati. The proposed facility would manage hiring for central government departments, public sector undertakings, and banks across the Northeastern states.
In a letter dated June 10, Saikia highlighted the urgent need to address rising unemployment in Assam. He referenced the Periodic Labour Force Survey Annual Report 2025, which places Assam's unemployment rate at 3.7 per cent, exceeding the national average of 3.1 per cent. Data for urban youth between the ages of 15 and 29 is even more concerning, with unemployment reported at 20.6 per cent.
Saikia argued that the current system forces candidates to travel long distances for exams conducted by agencies like the Staff Selection Commission, the Railways, and various public sector bodies. He stated, "candidates from the region are often forced to spend heavily on travel and accommodation to appear for these examinations." This logistical burden, he claims, has contributed to a trend where many central positions in the Northeast are filled by individuals from outside the region.
To mitigate these issues, Saikia proposed an allocation of Rs 500 crore to make the Guwahati facility operational within six months. He also advocated for a regional hiring policy that would reserve 70 per cent of positions up to Deputy Manager and Grade III levels for local candidates. He believes these steps would resolve regional economic imbalances and provide better career prospects for local youth.
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